Third Audi R15 TDI Gets New Drivers

[ZachBowman]

If you follow Le Mans at all, we don?t need to tell you last year was a bit of an upset for Audi. For the first time in five years, the company gave up the gold to rival Peugeot. In fact, Audi has won the legendary 24 hour race eight times in the last 10 years. Despite the Pug?s victory last year, the company filed a formal complaint against Audi, saying its R15 racer used illegal design elements. The sanctioning body agreed, and now Audi is developing an R15 TDI Plus. Aside from taking care of the problematic design elements, Audi?s also signed three new drivers to helm a third car.

Two of the drivers have some history in the cockpit of an Audi. Swiss driver Marcel Fassler ran a total of two races for the quad rings back in 2008 during the American Le Mans Series. Likewise, German Andre Lotterer campaigned a privateer Audi R10 TDI during last year?s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It?s no surprise to see Audi picking from its own ranks, even Fassler and Lotterer come from the fringes of the company?s banner. More surprising is the third driver ? Benoit Treluyer.

Treluyer was one of nine drivers who made up Peugeot?s winning team last year. Neither Pegueot or Treluyer are saying much about the swap, but running a total of three cars, one with a host of fresh new talent is bound to improve Audi?s chances at this year?s race. Unfortunately, the company?s new R15 TDI Plus won?t be ready in time for the 12 Hours of Sebring ? a traditional shake down race in preparation for Le Mans. Even worse for Audi, Peugeot won?t allow a modified 2009 R15 TDI to run in the race, leaving Ingolstadt to run the 24 hour race cold.

This should be one hell of an interesting season.

Source Audi